More Mpuma flights ahead of 2010 kick-off

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Nelspruit - The number of domestic flights to the Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport in Nelspruit will be increased a month ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup kick-off in June.

The flights form part of a new deal signed between the Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) and Comair Limited, which operates local and regional British Airways flights in South Africa.

"From May 4, British Airways will commence with six flights a week between Kruger Mpumalanga International Airport and OR Tambo International [in Johannesburg]," said Comair executive manager of sales and route development Stuart Cochrane.

He said Comair was very excited about the partnership with the MTPA because it created an opportunity to bring more international and local travellers to the region.

"Comair's increased capacity will allow travellers easy access to Mpumalanga while at the same time raising the profile of the province, which has so many beautiful experiences to offer," Cochrane said.

The short flight, in a Boeing 737-300, takes 40 minutes and will depart from OR Tambo at 10:40am, allowing the international inbound market to connect.

The return flight will depart from Kruger Mpumalanga at 12pm.

"This partnership will deliver much-needed competition and additional capacity on the route between Mpumalanga and Gauteng, and both business and leisure travellers are expected to benefit from the new scheduled service," said MTPA chief executive Charles Ndabeni.

British Airways and SA Airlink are the only carriers servicing the airport.